Save the historic photo collection
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Larry Deklinski. I am 34-years-old and my passion is documenting the photographic history of central Pennsylvania.
I am asking for your help to offset some of the cost of purchasing a film scanner and the entire collection of "safety film" taken by a defunct photo studio that documented Northumberland County, Pa., and the surrounding area for more than 100 years. The studio's work included photos for churches and yearbook photos for area high schools in the 50s and 60s.
Please help me bring these photos into public view, many for the first time since they were taken decades ago! I hope the photos will illustrate the history of the coal region and will also bring joy to someone who recognizes a loved one.
This is a huge financial commitment for me. I work two jobs and have sacrificed many things in order to make this purchase, which I deemed a necessity in order to preserve local history.
A little background: About 10 years ago, I was fortunate enough to become friends with the late Ben Wojciechowski, the last owner of Thomas Studio, who was selling most of the prints from the studio.
I was able to purchase several thousand dollars worth of local prints, which I then cataloged on a website for all to see.
Of course, I wanted to buy more photographs when the studio was being sold, but I was happy to learn that the safety film and silver nitrate film from the studio was purchased by the Northumberland County Historical Society.
I have recently been given the opportunity to purchase all of the safety film from the Society. Along with the cost of the film, I will need to buy a specialized scanner, external harddrives, storage units and other materials.
Any help to bring these 25,000-plus pieces of film back home to Shamokin and into the public spotlight would be appreciated!!!
Thank you,
Larry Deklinski
I am asking for your help to offset some of the cost of purchasing a film scanner and the entire collection of "safety film" taken by a defunct photo studio that documented Northumberland County, Pa., and the surrounding area for more than 100 years. The studio's work included photos for churches and yearbook photos for area high schools in the 50s and 60s.
Please help me bring these photos into public view, many for the first time since they were taken decades ago! I hope the photos will illustrate the history of the coal region and will also bring joy to someone who recognizes a loved one.
This is a huge financial commitment for me. I work two jobs and have sacrificed many things in order to make this purchase, which I deemed a necessity in order to preserve local history.
A little background: About 10 years ago, I was fortunate enough to become friends with the late Ben Wojciechowski, the last owner of Thomas Studio, who was selling most of the prints from the studio.
I was able to purchase several thousand dollars worth of local prints, which I then cataloged on a website for all to see.
Of course, I wanted to buy more photographs when the studio was being sold, but I was happy to learn that the safety film and silver nitrate film from the studio was purchased by the Northumberland County Historical Society.
I have recently been given the opportunity to purchase all of the safety film from the Society. Along with the cost of the film, I will need to buy a specialized scanner, external harddrives, storage units and other materials.
Any help to bring these 25,000-plus pieces of film back home to Shamokin and into the public spotlight would be appreciated!!!
Thank you,
Larry Deklinski
Organizer
Larry Deklinski
Organizer
Fairview-Ferndale, PA
